Due to a task I am working on to add a parenting class to our calendar, my thoughts gravitated towards many of the the young parents in our midst who were not parented well and may not have insight into how best to raise their children. They may not know where to go for help. It’s been said that there is no manual for raising children, but that may not be entirely true. There are books available, but those books do not come packaged with the birth of the baby.
Infants and Toddlers
While most parents manage to get through the infant and toddler years without major catastrophes, those darling little ones grow faster than young parents can imagine. Before they know it, the cute, funny little baby who made them laugh, may now be creating havoc in the classroom or mimicking ridiculous (and possibly) dangerous TikTok challenges.
That child may be struggling in the classroom, unable to compete academically with other children of the same age.
Juvenile Services
When we think of all that can go wrong with a child in modern society, it may not seem like children are much of a blessing — especially when the parents seem to spend an eternity working with Maryland Department of Juvenile Services representatives, social workers, lawyers and judges.
The opportunities for involvement with drugs and alcohol are immense.
Most Kids do not Find Trouble
Large numbers of children do not fall for society’s traps, but the number of those who do, make the headlines. Many bring about suffering for others because of the bad deeds they perform. Too often, parents are stunned, seemingly having no clue that their child or children could make such poor decisions.
With some children, based on what I have learned over the years, there is a predisposition for mischief, while others are followers of bad behavior. Still, there are those who do not fit either category, but because of other unpleasant circumstances in life, they turn to misdeeds to feel better or rebel against their circumstances.
With all of the above potentialities, it truly takes smart parenting to help children adopt better behavioral practices.
Admittedly, some parents are better suited to the task of raising children than others. Most parents, I would dare say, actually want what is best for their children. Not all parents, however, know how to identify the best methods for guiding children. We see the results of good parenting and bad parenting in society every day. However, it must be understood that there are times with the best parenting, that some children simply refuse to follow the script. There must be a multitude of reasons for wayward children. And some, as we know do not go astray until their adult years. Parents can only do the best they can while praying for those children over the years.
Parenting: The Main Thread in the Fabric of Society
The family is the primary thread in the fabric of society — regardless of the make up of the family unit. Let’s face it, when we see people achieve or when we see utter failure, many of us wonder about family life and upbringing. When we think of ourselves, don’t we think about our childhoods and how our family members guided us or steer us wrong? Too often, we blame our parents for how messed up we are, or if the opposite, we celebrate our parents for our personal and professional successes.
If we agree with the assumptions I have laid out, why is it that we tend to rely so heavily on government for solutions to societal problems, when most likely the answers for a better society lie with us regular folk who see the problems and generally understand why the problems exist?
Politics and Mentoring
Too often, we invest in political candidates and mentoring programs (which I heartily support), except that I find such programs late to the game of life. Let’s start before birth. Let’s start by helping those who are expecting to be parents in the near future. Let’s look at our neighborhoods and make whatever adjustments are necessary. We hear repeatedly that it takes a village to raise a child. If that axiom is true, then what are our villages doing? Some may be functioning well. However, it is painfully obvious that some are barely functioning at all.
In order to be a part of the solution rather than a quiet part of the problem, Maryland Newspapers LLC (Howard Courier and Guilford Gazette) will use its resources to promote educational resources for parents. For organizations, foundations, churches and the like that have programs to help new parents become more knowledgeable and hopefully a little wiser, we will promote your programs free-of-charge. We want to partner with those who are diligently working to build a safer, more constructive Howard County.
Raising the Bar
Also, we are in the beginning stages of creating a program called Raising the Bar, which is designed to help young parents better understand the internal workings of the Howard County Public School System and Parent-Teacher organizations, as well as best practices to guide students toward academic and social success.
For current and expecting parents who would like to become active with positive parenting programs, please stay tuned to our CALENDAR and look for public service announcements in the form of display advertisements on our websites.
– Ricardo Whitaker (Publisher, Howard Courier & Guilford Gazette)
Publisher’s Note: Maryland Newspapers LLC looks forward to providing regular coverage of news and events in Howard County, Maryland. Please support that effort by visiting HowardCourier.com daily, uploading our mobile app, and subscribing, if finances permit.
